Porto is a city blessed by river and sea, with a breathtaking landscape capable of inspiring anyone. With a centuries-old history, Invicta has been able to reinvent itself over time and today is one of the main international destinations. But what are its best tourist attractions?
Ancient monuments, modern infrastructures, gardens with unobstructed views of the River Douro, dreamy bookshops and cultural quarters– there’s plenty to explore in Porto. After all, it’s not for nothing that Porto was recently named the Best Metropolitan Seaside Destination, as well as the Best City for Erasmus in 2024.
In this essential (and obligatory) itinerary for any visitor and tourist, national or foreign, we have chosen to include some varied suggestions, capable of pleasing ‘Greeks and Trojans’. Please note that the order is random. So, if you’re planning a getaway to the Invicta city, then get ready, because this article promises to be your new best friend!
Table Of Contents
Ribeira Quay
This area is one of the busiest in the city. On sunny, warm spring and summer days , tourists crowd along the Douro and it becomes almost difficult to get around Cais da Ribeira. But with many or few people, it’s always worth (re)discovering the charms of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Around here, as well as the privileged view of the river, there are plenty of options to quench your thirst and fill your belly. After all, there’s no shortage of bars and restaurants. We also highly recommend a stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the riverside area, which are so typical and colorful, a testament to the Porto of yesteryear.
Luís I Bridge
Porto is known for its six bridges. In fact, there are even themed cruises focused on this feature, which take thousands of tourists up and down the Douro to contemplate the charms of these infrastructures. However, without a doubt, one of the most emblematic is the Luís I Bridge, inaugurated in the 19th century.
Designed by Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, crossing the Luís I Bridge is one of the things anyone should do in Porto, at least once in their life. From the top, the view is absolutely breathtaking and provides the perfect backdrop for dozens of memorable photographs, as well as an unforgettable sunset.
Clérigos Tower
The Clérigos Tower is one of Porto’s most famous tourist attractions. Just to give you an idea, in the last ten years, eight million people have visited this national monument.
Designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century, the building impresses with its more than 70 meters. To get to the top of the tower, you have to climb 240 steps. However, the effort is well worth it.
Lello Bookshop
Officially considered the most beautiful bookshop in the world, Lello is one of Porto’s most iconic tourist attractions. If you have any doubts, just look at the size of the queues, which fill Rua das Carmelitas every day, right in the heart of the city.
With over a century of history, Livraria Lello has achieved international stardom due to its alleged association with the Harry Potter saga. Even with the statements of the author, J.K. Rowling, who said she had never been inside, the place continues to captivate fans of this fictional universe.
The neo-Gothic façade is eye-catching, but the interior is even more surprising, with its staircases and colorful stained-glass windows calling for lots of photographs. Currently, to enter Livraria Lello you need to buy a ticket voucher, which costs €8.
Rua das Flores
This is one of the most beautiful streets, but also one of the busiest in the city and one of the favorite stopping points for tourists. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants here, not to mention the MMIPO – Museu da Misericórdia do Porto.
It should be added that Rua das Flores is very old, having been built in the 16th century by King Manuel I. However, at the time, this Porto thoroughfare went by the name of Rua de Santa Catarina das Flores. So this is an artery with a lot of history.
Crystal Palace Gardens
Popular with fans of green spaces, the Palácio de Cristal Gardens have many reasons to visit. First of all, there’s the building that is now called the Super Bock Arena – Rosa Mota Pavilion, which hosts numerous concerts. You can also go up to the dome and enjoy a wonderful view.
As if that weren’t enough, the space is full of nooks and crannies, as well as small viewpoints. It’s an ideal place for picnics, romanticdates and taking pictures of the many peacocks that add even more color to the gardens.
Tile route
All over the city there is a strong presence of azulejos, especially in blue tones. You can find them in churches, monuments and even in train stations. So it’s not surprising that they are also one of Porto’s tourist attractions.
If you’re in the mood to walk the azulejos route, then these are some of our top suggestions:
- Chapel of Souls
- São Bento Station
- Church of Santo Ildefonso
- Sé Cathedral, among others.
WoW – World of Wine
On the other side of the Douro River, in Vila Nova de Gaia, there is a super trendy tourist attraction that deserves the attention of locals and visitors alike. Around here, there is a wide range of attractions on offer, including themed museums, bars and restaurants.
In addition, WoW – World of Wine often hosts events and even exhibitions. For example, it will soon be hosting a big party to celebrate none other than São João, the longest night in Porto and the surrounding area.
Of course, there are other tourist attractions that could be mentioned here, but we didn’t want to go on too long. After all, rather than reading about it, it ‘s best to visit everything first-hand.
Nevertheless, we would like to highlight the Serralves Park and Museum, the Café Majestic, the Casa da Música, the Bolhão Market and the Palácio da Bolsa, among others.